Steven OtteIf I'm modeling a bicycle factory, the perfect kit might be out there, but I'll never find it searching online if the manufacturer calls it a tool and die shop.
Steve,Here's the ticket.. A building kit like Walthers Machine Shop can be used for many industries including a small nonrail served tool & die shop,a welding shop,a lawn mower repair shop,a bicycle shop etc..
To my mind that's where Walthers on line catalog shines the brightest since I will know if that Machine Shop kit is in stock or not long before I get my hopes built up like I use to with a paper catalog.
If I had a saw buck for every time I was told by my favorite LHS years ago "Sorry Larry,such and such kit is unavailble" after ordering through that shop and waiting a week but,there it was in Walthers catalog. Ugh!
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/931-916
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Jim,
I would definitely buy the reference book! While I only order from Walthers a couple of times a year the book can definitely be helpful. I agree with Steven Otte, that using the book is much easier than an on line search when you're looking for "something" but not sure exactly what. While I do some scratchbuilding, mostly I kitbash stuff and the guide is great for that. Usually the dimensions of the kit are shown including a footprint schematic (which isn't online in a lot of cases). Sometimes to me the footprint is as important as dimensions.
Tim
Steven Otte If I'm modeling a bicycle factory, the perfect kit might be out there, but I'll never find it searching online if the manufacturer calls it a tool and die shop.
If I'm modeling a bicycle factory, the perfect kit might be out there, but I'll never find it searching online if the manufacturer calls it a tool and die shop.
Alton Junction
Though I do most of my Walthers searching through their website, the paper catalog does still have one good use for me: looking for something that I don't know what it is yet. If I'm looking for a structure to represent a certain industry that there isn't a kit already made for, or for something to use as the basis for a kitbash, I like to page through to see what kits could possibly stand in for what I need. If I'm modeling a bicycle factory, the perfect kit might be out there, but I'll never find it searching online if the manufacturer calls it a tool and die shop.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
gmpullman JimInMichigan I rarely buy from Walthers because I search the net for the best deal. Sometimes Walthers IS the best deal. I don't believe I have ever paid retail at Walthers except for a few times when I could not find the item I needed anywhere else. However, I always look at the "Walther's Flyer" http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/flyer and the Bargain Depot/Last Call http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/bargain_home Sometimes the savings is substantial. You can request to have a print copy of the Flyer mailed to you (about every six weeks or so) and it will usually have news about new and future Walthers products. I like to page through the Flyer. It's like getting the Big Book highlights... and it's free! Ed
JimInMichigan I rarely buy from Walthers because I search the net for the best deal.
Sometimes Walthers IS the best deal.
I don't believe I have ever paid retail at Walthers except for a few times when I could not find the item I needed anywhere else.
However, I always look at the "Walther's Flyer" http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/flyer
and the Bargain Depot/Last Call
http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/bargain_home
Sometimes the savings is substantial. You can request to have a print copy of the Flyer mailed to you (about every six weeks or so) and it will usually have news about new and future Walthers products.
I like to page through the Flyer. It's like getting the Big Book highlights... and it's free!
Ed
Man, Santa has NO imagination. He makes a layout, and just models himself doing his own job?
Julian
Modeling Pre-WP merger UP (1974-81)
Buying them is a great way of seeing how various structures fit together. Walthers often provides a lot of interesting details and history about different structures and cars. I can easily find that information online faster, so I would probably purchase the catalogues every five years.
Regardless of the frequency of purchase, pls recycle them when not used or give away!
I've bought Walther's book for a couple of years now and also picked up some older ones at local auctions. I enjoy looking through the book much more than staring at a screen. I'm probably one that uses the book and/or internet backwards from most. I look for an item and then go to LHS to buy it. Have gotten better deals than I could on the net. Oh I do buy some things on line but try to keep the LHS first. I know some people haven't a choice, but even though my LHS is thirty miles away I help them out and feel lucky to have a good one that close.
God's Best & Happy Rails to You!
Bing (RIPRR The Route of the Buzzards)
The future: Dead Rail Society
Also, the "Magic of Model Railroading" photo section is great inspiration as are the other photos of modeler's work using products from the catalog shown throughout.
It doesnt have the selection it used too. But still good for refference
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
I don't buy it every year, but I find it handy to have one around to remind me of what is available. Keeping the old ones is helpful because it can be a handy reference when you find a deal on an older item at a Train Show or on Ebay. I'm of the generation that grew up with books. If you don't know what those were, look it up. I feel comfortable with the tactile feel of a book in my lap. That's something this keyboard & screen never gives me.
Tom
I quit buying the Walthers catalog when they stopped being THE source of model railroading supplies (when Horizon bought Athearn, and stopped selling to Walthers). Easier to find what I want on the internet, anyway.
Rich,I agree and notice a lot of the stuff listed in my 2002 catalog is no longer produced and some companies is no longer around.
Maybe I should buy a new catalog and compare the 2002 issue to today's issue?
maxman BMMECNYC Also walthers pulls discontinued items off of the webpage. More than once Ive found something in the old Walthers reference book that is no longer on the web page.
BMMECNYC Also walthers pulls discontinued items off of the webpage. More than once Ive found something in the old Walthers reference book that is no longer on the web page.
Rich
BMMECNYCAlso walthers pulls discontinued items off of the webpage. More than once Ive found something in the old Walthers reference book that is no longer on the web page.
Not entirely correct. When you use the expanded search there is a check box(s) for out of stock or discontinued items.
I also belong to the Yardmasters Club and get a new catalog every year. There are times that I would rather look at paper than a screen. Although I also buy over the internet from established dealers, Walthers still has items that can be hard to find. A $75 order is free freight. There is free shipping on backorders over $20 and I never pay more than $5.50 for shipping.
I owned two hobby shops in the past and I have a great deal of respect for Walthers. I could fill special orders in 48 hours in the days of dialup modems before the internet became a big deal. They were fast and efficient.
Ken Vandevoort
BMMECNYCI happen to like the Walthers reference book for planning purposes, as it gives you the building dimensions visually (see page 449 kit 933-4045 for example) the website does not provide this at a glance
For the record. The measurements are there for 90% of the buildings on the page the building is listed on. I been using Walters on line catalog since 2001. The last paper issue I bought was 2002 since it was preordered.
I happen to like the Walthers reference book for planning purposes, as it gives you the building dimensions visually (see page 449 kit 933-4045 for example) the website does not provide this at a glance. Also walthers pulls discontinued items off of the webpage. More than once Ive found something in the old Walthers reference book that is no longer on the web page. This is helpful if you have a LHS that maintains an inventory of old runs (new old stock). The color photos of buildings are helpful when presented in book form when you are looking for a specific building shape or style for kitbashing. Going through thumbnails looking for the right building parts is impossible.
You can get used ones at swap meets and on e-bay, great for finding out info on some stuff.
Since they have always been kind of expensive, I used to buy one every few years. It is handy to have a picture book of products - a picture is worth a thousand words still, so it is very helpful to have something like that to peruse. OTOH, the last one I bought was 1999, and with the internet coupled with some years following that of tight funds, I let got of buying them and haven't had a strong incentive since, especially now that there is no LHS around with a stack of them on the counter to tempt me. I still have one of the those old ones for nostagia sake. Still lists Athearn blue box stuff from the late 1990's.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I am another who gets one every few years and I also use the internet for a lot of my HO purchases, but as mentioned, it is nice to sit and look through the book and discover many new items that I didn't know existed. I don't have my computer in my train room yet, so the paper book is really handy. I still buy from Walthers but I like to use my LHS to order for me, it saves shipping for me and gives them the profits, keeping everyone happy. I know that Walther's has become the 'all in one' distributor for model railroad products, and I would like to help keep them supported when I can. There are many items in their online listings that are on sale and I even bring it to my LHS 's attention so they know I want it before it goes off sale. So far this has worked great for me as I do a lot of scratch building and the LHS doesn't stock that much. I keep all my old Walther's catalogs for reference purposes, not to mention the photos of models on other railroads, which give me ideas for mine.
-Bob (just my thoughts)
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
I like some of the others get it every few years. It is fun to see the pictures of all the stuff available. While the search function on walthers.com is helpful, it can be a PITA at times and you might not see everything you have unless for some reason you are smarter than the website. I DO NOT MEAN TO START AN EMAIL WAR ABOUT HOW TO SEARCH, just speaking my opinion.
so I would recommend you go ahead and splurge the $16 and curl up with the catalog and a beer and enjoy it.
Ted
BRAKIE Guys,I found it easier for me to go to (let's say) www.manufacturer's name.com to see what they currently offer,new product announcements and the in stock availability instead of relying on a paper catalog in the instant information computer age. Walthers even has a manufacturer list of manufacturers on their web site.
Guys,I found it easier for me to go to (let's say) www.manufacturer's name.com to see what they currently offer,new product announcements and the in stock availability instead of relying on a paper catalog in the instant information computer age.
Walthers even has a manufacturer list of manufacturers on their web site.
As I noted above, Detail Associates does not have a web site nor a catalog, so your only source is the Walther's website which loads O so slowly or the book, which is easier to use.
Rick J
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
dknelsonCuriously it is also my old Walthers paper catalogs that show me unavailable stuff that I need and want (and failed to get when it was new) and thus give me a good heads-up for my swap meet want lists (and if I was so inclined, Ebay searches). At some point even the 2016 catalog might fill that purpose. I too used to usually throw away the prior year's catalog and now regret it.
Dave,
I agree, a very good use. I still have my 1971 catalog, the first one I ever purchased. Being a packrat runs in the family, so kept it due to my "genetics" but it was good to eventually find out there was a reason for keeping them. I've used mine many times to reference out of production items or answer question from others.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I buy one every few years and since it has been a while probably will get one this fall at Trainfest. Since I live in Milwaukee I can get the monthly sales flyers right at Walthers' showroom.
The problem, or at least MY problem, with using the internet rather than a paper catalog (and this is where I differ in opinion from Larry) is that for me the internet is very good for searching for what you know or assume exists, but the paper catalog when browsed through often shows you something that you did not know existed and thus were not searching for. This is true not only for parts and scratchbuilding supplies, but for track accessories such as from Peco. It was the catalog, not an internet search, that showed me Peco has a capacitor discharge unit as well as a number of different sorts of switch machines for their turnouts, because I never dreamed Peco had that stuff. That said the search function of the online Walthers catalog is a very useful tool when looking, let's say, for anything marked "Standard Oil" or "Pure Oil." The paper catalog would be cumbersome if not useless for that kind of searching. And the online catalog lets you easily expland your search beyond "your" scale which sometimes can also be helpful.
Curiously it is also my old Walthers paper catalogs that show me unavailable stuff that I need and want (and failed to get when it was new) and thus give me a good heads-up for my swap meet want lists (and if I was so inclined, Ebay searches). At some point even the 2016 catalog might fill that purpose. I too used to usually throw away the prior year's catalog and now regret it.
Dave Nelson
Mike
My brain is still pre-computer age. For shopping and to check stock status, I rely on the internet via the Walthers website. But for random browsing, being able to turn pages works lots better for me. You see things you didn't know you were looking for or might need in the future.
BRAKIEJim,Been thinking..Maybe you should buy the catalog just for the experience of seeing how much exist in the hobby--and maybe experience the kid in the candy shop feeling? Wink
Yeah, a good reason alone IMO.
Like others, it's only an every so often purchase. My current one is 2012, so I'm about due for a refresh.
modelmaker51 I still get a catalog every couple of yearssp I guess I'm about due thos year. The only time I buy from Walthers directly is when can't get it anywhere else. My detail parts I get here http://www.mgdecals.com/homepage.htm He has the best supply plus he's got some great decals too.
I still get a catalog every couple of yearssp I guess I'm about due thos year. The only time I buy from Walthers directly is when can't get it anywhere else. My detail parts I get here http://www.mgdecals.com/homepage.htm He has the best supply plus he's got some great decals too.
But, he is no longer going to stock parts as nobody (except us hardliners) is buying detail parts anymore.
Also, Walthers is the only way to get a current Detail Associates parts list as he has no website nor a catalog.